The main types of door locks are knob and lever locks, deadbolts, mortise locks, multipoint locks, keypad locks and smart locks. Exterior doors should have a deadbolt or multipoint lock, not only a knob lock. The best choice depends on the door, its construction and how many people need access.
When to call us
- You are choosing locks for a new door or renovation.
- You are not sure whether your existing locks are secure.
- You want to understand options before calling.
- You are comparing smart locks with traditional deadbolts.
How the job works
- Knob and lever locks: convenient latches, but not security locks on their own.
- Deadbolts: the main security lock on most exterior doors.
- Mortise locks: heavy locks set into the door edge, common in older homes and commercial doors.
- Multipoint locks: lock the door at several points, common on patio and newer front doors.
- Keypad and smart locks: keyless access with codes, apps or fobs.
Matching lock types to doors
Exterior doors need a lock that holds when the door is pushed or kicked, which means a deadbolt or a multipoint lock, not only a spring latch. Interior doors such as bedrooms and bathrooms use privacy latches that are meant to be opened easily in an emergency. Commercial doors often need levers for accessibility and exit devices on exit routes.
Smart and keypad locks are best thought of as a deadbolt with a different way of opening it. The security still depends on the bolt, the strike and the door; the convenience comes from codes and apps. In older Toronto homes, mortise locks are common and often worth keeping, with a new cylinder or rekey rather than replacement.
What affects the price
The dispatcher explains the service call before anyone is sent, and the technician confirms the total with you before starting any work that adds cost. The main price drivers are:
- Lock type and grade.
- Door preparation needed.
- Keying to other locks.
- Smart features and accessories.
Hardware we see in Toronto
Examples include Weiser, Kwikset and Schlage residential locks, mortise locks from several manufacturers, European multipoint systems, and smart locks from Yale, Schlage and August.
Guide: Types of Door Locks in Toronto: local context
Toronto's building stock covers every type: mortise locks in century homes, knob-and-deadbolt pairs in post-war houses, multipoint locks in new builds, and lever sets in condos.
What we will and won't do
This guide is general. A technician can confirm what fits your door and what it needs.
Frequently asked questions
Which lock is most secure for a front door?
A quality Grade 1 or 2 deadbolt, or a multipoint lock, with a reinforced strike.
Are smart locks as secure as deadbolts?
Good smart deadbolts are, provided the door and strike are solid and codes are managed.
What is a mortise lock?
A lock housed in a pocket cut into the door edge, common in older homes and commercial doors.
Related services
Helpful guides
Need guide: types of door locks help now?
We operate 24/7 from our Toronto base at 901 Yonge Street. Call, describe the door, lock or vehicle, and we will explain the service call and arrival window before anyone is sent.
📞 Call (416) 240-0593